KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- There are two turbo-petrol engine options with which the Volkswagen Taigun is available 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre.
- In terms of overall size and dimensions, the Volkswagen Taigun is smaller than the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.
- Only SUV with a powered co-driver seat, while many other features are available.
Volkswagen's first-ever made-in-India SUV, the Taigun, has given the German carmaker a fresh start in the premium compact SUV category. Amidst tough competition, the Volkswagen Taigun stands out as one of the best SUVs for driving enthusiasts. With class-leading performance-focused engine options and typical German finesse in driving dynamics, here's how this vehicle compares to the other top sellers in the premium compact SUV segmentthe Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara:
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Also Read: Volkswagen Taigun Variants Explained: From Price To Features
Volkswagen Taigun vs Rivals: Price
Among the three SUVs, the Volkswagen Taigun has the highest starting price point for its base-spec variant compared to that of the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. However, Volkswagen regularly offers lucrative discounts and offers, making all of its variants more affordable than the Creta and Grand Vitara.
| Model | Volkswagen Taigun | Hyundai Creta | Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara |
| Price of petrol variants (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 11.70 lakh Rs 20.00 lakh | Rs 11.00 lakh Rs 20.15 lakh | Rs 10.99 lakh Rs 19.93 lakh |
Volkswagen Taigun Vs Rivals: Engine And Mileage
The Taigun competes with the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engines of the Creta and Grand Vitara with its smaller 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. However, this smaller engine of VW has better power and torque outputs than both the other SUVs. While the Grand Vitara might claim the least power and torque outputs, it has the best fuel efficiency over the other two.
Also has a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine (TSI EVO), a direct competitor to the Creta 1.5 Turbo, which claims better power and torque outputs on paper. Meanwhile, the Grand Vitara is in a different league with its petrol-electric hybrid avatar, which is acing the other side of the spectrum with its mind-blowing fuel efficiency. In addition to these powertrains, the Creta has an edge over the two with its diesel engine option.
Petrol:
| Model | Volkswagen Taigun | Hyundai Creta | Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara |
| Engine | 1.0-litre (999cc) turbo-petrol / 1.5-litre (1498cc) turbo-petrol | 1.5-litre (1497cc) petrol / 1.5-litre (1482cc) turbo-petrol | 1.5-litre (1462cc) petrol / 1.5-litre (1490cc) petrol-electric hybrid |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual or 6speed AT (1.0-litre turbo-petrol)6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT (1.5-litre turbo-petrol) | 6-speed manual or CVT (1.5-litre petrol)7-speed DCT (1.5-litre turbo-petrol) | 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic (1.5-litre petrol)e-CVT (1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid) |
| Maximum power | 115 PS @ 5000-5500 rpm (1.0-litre turbo-petrol)150 PS @ 5000-6000 rpm (1.5-litre turbo-petrol) | 115 PS @ 6300 rpm (1.5-litre petrol)160 PS @ 5500 rpm (1.5-litre turbo-petrol) | 103 PS @ 6000 rpm (1.5-litre petrol)115.56 PS (1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid) |
| Maximum torque | 178 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm (1.0-litre turbo-petrol)250 Nm @ 1600-3500 rpm (1.5-litre turbo-petrol) | 143.8 Nm @ 4500 rpm (1.5-litre petrol)253 Nm @ 1500-3500 rpm (1.5-litre turbo-petrol) | 136.8 Nm @ 4400 rpm (1.5-litre petrol)122 Nm engine and 141 Nm motor (1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid) |
| Fuel efficiency | 19.87 kmpl (1.0 MT) / 18.15 kmpl (1.0 AT) / 18.61 kmpl (1.5 MT) / 19.01 kmpl (1.5 DCT) | 17.4 kmpl (1.5 MT) / 17.7 kmpl (1.5 CVT) / 18.4 kmpl (1.5 turbo DCT) | 21.11 kmpl (1.5 MT) / 20.58 kmpl (1.5 AT) / 27.97 kmpl (1.5 hybrid) |
Volkswagen Taigun vs Rivals: Dimensions and road presence
With its least length, width and height, the VW Taigun looks notably smaller than the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. Despite falling short on overall dimensions, the Taigun surprises with its class-leading wheelbase, which translates into a more spacious cabin.
The Volkswagen Taigun is the only SUV here that gets both blacked-out and chrome exterior treatment options, making it a more versatile-looking SUV in this competition. The SUVs here have all-LED lighting with a connected LED light bar at the rear, roof rails, and 17-inch alloy wheel options.
| Dimensions | Volkswagen Taigun | Hyundai Creta | Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara |
| Length | 4221 | 4330 | 4345 |
| Width | 1760 | 1790 | 1795 |
| Height | 1612 | 1635 | 1645 |
| Wheelbase | 2651 | 2610 | 2600 |
| Ground clearance | 188 | 190mm | 210mm |
| Boot space | 385 litres | 433 litres | 373 litres |
Volkswagen Taigun vs Rivals: Features
When it comes to features, the Hyundai Creta feels much better equipped than the others in this trio. It has some new class-leading features like level-2 ADAS, drive modes, and dual-zone auto AC that are not present in Taigun and Grand Vitara. However, on its own, the Volkswagen Taigun is a well-kitted SUV with some nice exterior and interior comfort and convenience features.
Volkswagen Taigun Key Features
- LED projector headlamps and tail lamps with LED DRLs
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 8-inch full-TFT instrument console
- Sunroof
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Powered and ventilated front seats
- Automatic climate control with rear AC vents
- Leather upholstery
- Reverse camera
- Wireless charger
- 6-speaker sound system
- Cooled glovebox
- Six airbags
Also Read: Volkswagen Virtus Pros And Cons: The Most Fun-To-Drive Sedan?
Verdict
With its relatively smaller dimensions and fewer features, the Volkswagen Taigun might not offer as great value for money as the Hyundai Creta and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. However, it offers all the modern features one expects from a premium compact SUV and attracts driving enthusiasts with its powerful turbo-petrol engines.
